No Way! Obama A Fame Junkie?
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
I thought his drug of choice, besides nicotine, was cocaine. Turns out what he craves, man, is fame:
Some might think this odd testimony from a young and inexperienced freshman senator on the cusp of seeking the highest rank, and the most famous position, in the world. It’s a bit like a parish priest saying he’s happy with his modest lot in life and then declaring he’s throwing his hat in the ring to become pope.
But a closer reading reveals a possible explanation. Perhaps he’s an adulation junkie. Maybe the diminishing “nourishment” Sen. Obama receives from “popularity” is actually causing him to ratchet up his pursuit of more and more praise just to get the minimal fix he needs.
That would account for why a man who thinks striving for popularity is a character flaw has nonetheless decided to give his nomination acceptance speech in a 76,000-seat football stadium.
He’s a rock star. “I need a hit, baby gimme it!”
Obama Shocked By Unknown, African American Comedian Bernard Mac’s Sexist and Homophobic Jokes At Fundraiser
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
Obama is now distanced from Jeremiah Wright, Jesse Jackson, Grandma, Tony Rezko, and now, Bernie Mac. I know the list is longer than that, these are just the only people I could come up with on a fuzzy Sunday morning. So why is Obama distancing himself from Bernie Mac? Ed Morrissey shares:
Given that, why did Obama have Bernie Mac perform at a fundraiser at all? Mac is hilarious, but his comedy is filled with similar references, outside of his television show. If it’s not good for Don Imus and for rap, why is it good for Bernie Mac and Obama fundraisers? Could it be that money trumps his principles yet again?
Oh, Ed, say it isn’t so! Not the Obamessaiah! He’s above money. He transcends economics. He, he, he….I’m weepy.
Before it is all over, Barack Obama will be so distanced–he will be alone, so very, very alone. He seems to find out too late, what everyone else already knows. Really, now. Has Obama ever heard Bernie Mac’s schtick? I mean, he’s a modern comedian who makes racist, sexist jokes. John from StopACLU says (he also posts the entirety of the joke):
Bernie Mac is well-known for profane language so Obama should have known what he was getting when he approved the hiring of the man. But Obama often seems to find out with surprise that people he knew were not what he thought they were.
Either Obama has becoming exceedingly adept at feigning ignorance or he’s actually ignorant. Either way, it’s not good.
Update:
Ann Althouse notes:
To say, this is a “family affair” implies that we could talk like this in an adults-only environment — as if there’s no difference between sex and sexism. Ed notes that it’s particularly bad when Obama needs to win over Hillary-supporters.
Comedians are oftentimes funny because what they say is true, but politically incorrect. I don’t know it this joke has any truth in it or not, but it certainly was politically incorrect. Will Hillary supporters really care? I think they’ll all be good girls and get on the Obama bus when it comes time to vote.
Via Memorandum
Tony Snow Dead at 53, DeBakey Dead at 99
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Life is short. He struggled against colon cancer and lost the fight.
Tony’s humor and humanity stood out in whatever role he played. I delighted in his sparring with the press when he was Press Secretary. I delighted in his sparring with politicians in his role at FOX. He just seemed like a smart, dedicated, nice guy.
Michelle Malkin says:
He was a true mensch, multi-talented–and one of the kindest people I had the honor to meet in the news business.
Even a long, meaningful life is short. Yesterday, surgeon Michael Ellis DeBakey also died. He is the father of modern cardiovascular surgery:
He remained vigorous and was a player in medicine well into his 90s, performing surgeries, traveling and publishing articles in scientific journals. His large hands were steady, his hearing sharp. His personal health regimen included taking the stairs at work and a single cup of coffee in the morning.
DeBakey’s death was mourned Friday night by the leaders of Methodist and Baylor. Methodist President Ron Girotto said, “He has improved the human condition and touched the lives of generations to come. We will greatly miss him.” And Baylor President Dr. Peter Traber added that “he set a standard for preeminence in all areas of his life that those who knew him and worked with him are compelled to emulate. And he served as a very visible reminder of the importance of leadership and giving back to ones community.”
It occurs to me that both of these men shared a trait: recognition that time is short and impatience with those intent on wasting it:
”He’s not hard to work with if things are done right,” said Noon, DeBakey’s colleague of more than three decades, in a 1995 interview. ”He was hard on people who slacked off or made mistakes. But he was so busy. He had to depend on people, and he could be tough. But he was always tough for a reason.”
Tough, impatient, perfectionistic, driven, curious, kind, smart. Good traits to be remembered for.
R.I.P. Tony and Dr. DeBakey.
